Robert Cumber

Police officers are facing misconduct hearings after a protest by pensioners at Sheffield station ended with two people being arrested.

One police officer has a case to answer for gross misconduct, a police watchdog has ruled, while three other officers and a police community support officer (PCSO) have cases to answer for misconduct.

George Arthur and Tony Nuttall, who were arrested during the protest and later charged (Ross Parry / SWNS Group)

The hearings were ordered over British Transport Police's handling of a demonstration at Sheffield train station in June 2014 against cuts to travel passes for the elderly and disabled.

George Arthur and Tony Nuttall, both in their 60s, were arrested and charged with obstruction and fare evasion, before the charges were dropped that December.

An IPCC spokesperson said: "The IPCC received a number of appeals following a British Transport Police investigation into complaints about officers’ actions during and following a protest at Sheffield Railway Station in June 2014.

"The IPCC reviewed the force’s investigation and found there was evidence to indicate that three police officers and a police community support officer had cases to answer for misconduct, and a fifth officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

"The IPCC directed the force to hold appropriate disciplinary proceedings for these individuals, which will take place in due course."

The hearings are set to take place in May and June.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Following an incident at Sheffield railway station in June 2014 the IPCC carried out a full investigation.

"In line with its recommendations, four officers will be attending a misconduct meeting in May. One officer, a PC based in South Yorkshire, will face a gross misconduct hearing in June."